Faced with US dominance, China and Russia launch joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan

Four Chinese ships, including the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating in the exercises alongside Russian ships, the ministry said. Following the three-day exercise, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in "Pacific waters."

The two countries have regularly conducted joint exercises for several years, with the "Joint Sea" exercises beginning in 2012. In 2024, they were held along China's southern coast. On Friday, China's Defense Ministry said this year's exercises aimed to "further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership" between the two countries. They come just ahead of a visit by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to China in late August.

"Mutual support"

The Russian president is due to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, an intergovernmental organization created in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian states, and a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.